Mounting device for mobile concrete mixing drum

ABSTRACT

The present invention comprises a mounting means for a concrete mixer drum having one end adapted to be mounted rotatably to a truck. A power shaft is fixed to the drum for rotating it and the power shaft is rotatably mounted within a power shaft housing. The mounting means comprises a collar surrounding and gripping the power shaft housing, the collar having an upper mounting member and a lower mounting member thereon. The upper mounting member is rotatably mounted to a support means for rotation about an upstanding axis, and the lower mounting member is mounted in a ball and socket joint to the support means so as to carry the weight of the concrete mixer. The support means is fixed to the truck frame so that the ball and socket joint transfers the weight of the mixing drum to the truck frame.

United States Patent [191 Johnson Jan. 15, 1974 MOUNTING DEVICE FOR MOBILE CONCRETE MIXING DRUM v [75] Inventor: James E. Johnson, Waterloo, Iowa 7 [73] Assignee: Construction Machinery Company,

Waterloo, Iowa [22] Filed: Oct. 2, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 294,216

[52] US. Cl. 259/176 [51] Int. Cl. B28c 5/18 [58] Field of Search 259/175, 176, 177 R, 259/177 A, 3,14, 30, 81, 89

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,5l 1,240 6/1950 Bohmer 259/177 R 2,563,336 7/l95l Jaeger..... 259/177 R 2,753,163 7/1956 Hilkemeier. 259/175 2,895,722 7/1959 I-Iunkins 259/176 3,658,303 4/1972 Funk 259/177 R Primary Examiner-Robert W. Jenkins Attorney-Zarley, McKee & Thomte [57] ABSTRACT The present invention comprises a mounting means for a concrete mixer drum having one end adapted to be mounted rotatably to a truck. A power shaft is fixed to the drum for rotating it and the power shaft is rotatably mounted within a power shaft housing. The mounting means comprises a collar surrounding and gripping the power shaft housing, the collar having an upper mounting member and a lower mounting member thereon. The upper mounting member is rotatably mounted to a support means for rotation about an upstanding axis, and the lower mounting member is mounted in a ball and socket joint to the support means so as to carry the weight of the concrete mixer. The support means is fixed to the truck frame so that the ball and socket joint transfers the weight of the mixing drum to the truck frame.

12 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEUJAN l 5 I914 SHEH 2 (IF 2 MOUNTING DEVICE FOR MOBILE CONCRETE MIXING DRUM This invention relates to mobile concrete mixers and particularly to a mounting device for mobile concrete mixing drums.

Mobile concrete mixing drums are well known in the art. Generally they comprise a drum which is rotatably mounted on a truck so that the drum can rotate and continue mixing the concrete while the concrete is in transit to its destination.-The rearward end of the mixing drums on conventional trucks are rotatably mounted and the forward ends of the mixing drums are rotatably mounted also. Usually the drums are tilted forwardly so that the major portion of the weight of the drum is borne by the forward mounting. Furthermore, the power means for rotating the drums are generally connected at the forward ends of the drums.

The forward means for mounting the drum must be sufficiently sturdy to transfer the substantial amount of the weight of the drum to the vehicle. Furthermore, this mounting devicemust be able to accommodate hydraulic motors and gears which in turn are connected to the drum for rotating the drum. During the movement of the vehicle there is considerable flexion of the vehicle frame and the other components of the vehicle due to the tremendous weight of the concrete within the mixing drum. Therefore, the mounting apparatus for the drum must be somewhat flexible so as to accommodate this flexing of the vehicle frame.

The present invention contemplates the use of a universal mounting device which may beattached to the housing surrounding the power shaft which rotates the concrete mixing drum. The present invention is capable of transferring the weight of the drum to the vehicle frame, but is also capable of slight movement in response to flexing of the vehicle frame and in response to movement of the drumas the drum rotates.

Thereforea primary object of the present invention is the provision of a mounting device which will support a rotatable concrete mixing drum on a vehicle.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a mounting device which will absorb the torque imparted on the mounting device by therotation of the mixing drum. 7

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a mounting device which will absorb tilting movement about a horizontal axis transverse to the direction of the vehicle at a point where the drum is secured to the mounting device.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a mounting device which will absorb twisting motion about a vertical axis at the point where the drum is secured to the mounting device.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a mounting device which will transfer the load from the drum to the truck frame.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a mounting device which is universally flexible so as to absorb any deflections in the truck frame or in the drum during the movement of the truck and during the rotation of the drum.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a mounting device which permits the drum to be driven by a hydraulic motor which is substantially free from load transmitting forces between the drum and the truck frame.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a mounting device which is economical to manufacture and durable in use.

This invention consists in the construction, arrangements and combination of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained as hereinafter more fully set forth, specifically pointed out in the claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a truck having a concrete mixing drum thereon.

FIG. 2 is a partial side view of the mounting device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3 3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4 4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5 5 of FIG. 3.

Referring to the drawings, a truck includes forward wheels 12, rearward wheels 14, a truck frame 16 and a truck cab 18. Rotatably mounted on the rearward end of truck frame l6-for rotation about a slightly inclined axis is a concrete mixing drum 20 having a forward end 22 and a rearward end 24. Mixing drum 20 is rotatably mounted on truck frame 16 by means of a forward mounting device 26 and a rearward mounting device 28. Rearward mounting device 28 is conventional in structure and will not be described herein other than to explain that it permits rotation of drum 20 about the longitudinal axis of drum 20.

Forward mounting device 26 is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 2 5. It comprises a stationary support means 30 in which is mounted a mounting collar 32. Support means 30 comprises a pair of spaced apart upstanding support members 34 which are welded, bolted, or otherwise fixed at their lower ends to truck frame 16. Extending between and interconnecting support members 34 is an upstanding support plate 36 which is welded to support members 34 for providing reinforcement thereto. Referring to FIG. 3, support plate 36 includes a lower circular cutout 38 and an upper circular cutout 40 which are interconnected by an open cutout passageway 42. Upper circular cutout 40 also is open adjacent its upper end. A plurality of bolt holes 44 are positioned around the annular margins of upper circular cutout 40.

Bolted to the rearward surface of support plate 36 by bolts extending through bolt holes 44 is a yolk plate 46. Yolk plate 46 includes a circular cutout 48 which is slightly smaller than but registered with circular cutout 40 of support plate 36. Formed in yolk plate 46 at the lower margin of circular cutout 48 is a cylindrical pedestal50 (FIGS. 3 and 5) having a socket 52 in its upper end which is approximately hemispherical in shape. At the upper end of circular cutout 48 is formed a roller receptacle 54 which is generally in the form of a square box having an open lower end. Roller receptacle 54 includes lateral side plates 56 (FIG. 3) and front and rear plates 58 (FIG. 5). A pair of filler plates 60 are bolted to side plates 56 by means of bolts 62 so as to impart a rectangular shape to the opening within roller receptacle 54 as can readily be seen in FIG. 4. Thus the space between plates 58 is greater than the space between plates 60. Welded across the top of receptacle 54 is a top plate 64, and bolted to top plate 64 is a top reinforcing plate 66 which is secured to top plate 64 by means of bolts 68. Threaded through reinforcing plate 66 and top plate 64 is an upper limiting bolt 70 which may be rotatably adjusted inwardly to protrude a predetermined distance within receptacle 54.

Mounting collar 32 is formed by an upper collar half 72 and a lower collar half 74 which are joined together by bolts 76, and which together form an enclosed cylinder 78. Lower collar half 74 includes a rounded ball 80 at its lower end which is sized to matingly fit within socket 52 of pedestal 50. Ball 80 and socket 52 are slightly different than the conventional ball and socket joint in that socket 52 does not hold ball 80 against upward movement out of socket 52. Conventional ball and socket joints are designed so that the socket fits around the ball, thereby making the two inseparable. The design of the present invention has no means to keep the ball from coming out of the socket other than the weight of the ball in the socket. Upper limiting bolt 70 also contributes to maintaining ball 80 in socket 52 as will be described hereinafter.

Upper collar half 72 includes an upstanding roller bearing member 82 which protrudes within roller receptacle 54 as shown in FIG. 3 5. Surrounding bearing member 82 is a thin annular bushing 84, and surrounding bushing 84 is a collet 86 having slightly tapered portions 88 on the upper and lower ends thereof. A washer 90 engages the lower edges of bushing 84 and collet 86 so as to prevent their downward movement. Washer 90 rests upon the upper ends of gusset flanges 92 which are welded to upper collar half 72 and which reinforce roller bearing member 82. An upper washer 94 rests upon the upper surfaces of bushing 84 and collet 86 and is retentively held in this position by a split ring 96. A lubricant fitting 98 protrudes from the upper end of roller bearing member 82 and provides communication (not shown) to the interfaces between bushing 84 and roller bearing member 82.

As can be seen in FIG. 4, the exterior surface of collet 86 engages the interior faces of filler plates 60, whereas front and rear plates 58 are spaced from the exterior surface of collet 86 so that collet 86 is free to slide toward and away from front and rear plates 58. This permits a slight tipping action of mounting collar 32 in the direction indicated by arrow 100 in FIG. 5.

Extending through the enclosed cylinder 78 formed by upper and lower collar halves 72, 74 is a power shaft housing 102 which is best shown in FIG. 5. Power shaft housing 102 is an extension of a gear housing 104. Extending outwardly from power shaft housing 102 is a power shaft 106 having a flange 108 which is bolted to drum 20 by means of bolts 110. Shaft 106 is rotatably driven by gears (not shown) within gear housing 104. These gears are in turn driven by hydraulic motor 112. The gripping of power shaft housing 102 by collar halves 72, 74 is additionally aided by means of bolts 114 which protrude through a rearward circular flange 116 formed by upper and lower collar halves 72, 74, and bolts 1 14 are threadably engaged within gear housing 104.

in operation, hydraulic motor 112 drives power shaft 106 through gear housing 104 and shaft housing 102 so as to rotate drum 20. The reaction torque caused by this rotation is borne by collar 32 at two points. The mating engagement of ball 80 within socket 52 provides one of the two points receiving the reaction torque and the mounting of roller bearing member 82 within receptacle 54 provides the other of these points.

The weight of drum 20 is transferred to the vehicle frame 16 by means of the pressure engagement of ball 80 within socket 52. The tilt of drum 20 about a horizontal axis transverse to the direction of movement of the vehicle is permitted by virtue of ball 80 and socket 52 and also by virtue of the space provided between upper roller bearing member 82 and forward and rearward plates 58 of receptacle 54. Collar 32 also permits drum 20 to pivot about an upstanding axis extending through roller bearing member 82 and ball 80. In such a case bearing member 82 rotates within collet 86 and ball 80 rotates within socket 52. None of the above mentioned pivotal movements are of great magnitude, but are only slight movements which permit compensation for flexing and deflecting in the frame of vehicle 16 and during the rotation of drum 20. Unnecessary bouncing of ball 80 upwardly out of socket 52 can be limited by screwing upper limiting bolt downwardly to the upper surface of roller bearing member 82, thereby limiting the upper movement of ball out of socket 52.

The above mentioned mounting device permits the load of the drum to be transferred through ball and socket 80, 52 and removes the load pressures from hydraulic motor 1 l2 and gear housing 104. Thus it can be seen that the device accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives.

l claim:

1. Mounting means for mounting a concrete mixer drum to a truck; said drum having a forward end and a rearward end; a power shaft being fixed to said one end of said drum and being rotatably mounted within a power shaft housing; power means for rotatably driving said power shaft; said mounting means comprising:

support means fixed to said truck; upper and lower mounting members rigidly attached to said power shaft housing and extending upwardly and downwardly therefrom respectively;

one of said upper and lower mounting members being rotatably mounted to said support means for rotation about an upstanding axis;

the other of said upper and said lower mounting members being mounted to said support means for swivel movement with respect to said support means; the weight of said one end of said drum being borne substantially by said other mounting member at the point where said other mounting member is mounted to said support frame.

2. Mounting means according to claim 1 wherein said lower mounting member bears the weight of said drum.

3. Mounting means according to claim 2 wherein said upper and lower mounting members are attached to a collar surrounding and gripping said power shaft housing.

4. Mounting means according to claim 3 wherein said lower mounting member is rounded and said support means includes a socket sized to matingly receive said rounded mounting member.

5. Mounting means according to claim 3 wherein said upper and lower mounting members are aligned with one another on opposite sides of said collar.

6. Mounting meansaccording to claim 3 wherein said collar comprises two collar halves embracing said power shaft housing therebetween; securing means securing said collar halves together so that they tightly embrace and grip said shaft housing therebetween.

7. Mounting means according to claim 2 wherein said power shaft is aligned with the rotational axis of said drum and said upper and lower mounting members are centered on a line perpendicular to said rotational axis of said drum.

8. A device according to claim 7 wherein said lower mounting member comprises a ball and said support means includes an upwardly presented socket which matingly receives said ball.

9. A device according to claim 8 wherein said socket is shaped to leave said ball free to move upwardly out of said socket.

10. A device of the kind described comprising:

a vehicle having a frame;

an elongated concrete mixer drum having opposite ends;

mounting means for rotatably mounting said drum on said vehicle frame; drive means operatively connected to one of said ends of said drum for rotating said drum;

said mounting means comprising a gripping device and a support means;

said support means being rigidly secured to said vehicle frame;

said gripping device being secured to at least a portion of said drive means and having upper and lower mounting members for engaging said support means;

said upper mounting member being rotatably mounted to said support means for rotation about an upstanding axis;

said lower mounting member being mounted to said support means for swivel movement; the weight of said one end of said drum being transferred to said support means through said lower mounting member.

11. A device according to claim 10 wherein said upper mounting member comprises a roller bearing rotatably mounted in said support means.

12. A device according to claim 11 wherein said support means includes a limiting device thereon engaging said upper mounting member and limiting upward movement of said gripping device. l l 

1. Mounting means for mounting a concrete mixer drum to a truck; said drum having a forward end and a rearward end; a power shaft being fixed to said one end of said drum and being rotatably mounted within a power shaft housing; power means for rotatably driving said power shaft; said mounting means comprising: support means fixed to said truck; upper and lower mounting members rigidly attached to said power shaft housing and extending upwardly and downwardly therefrom respectively; one of said upper and lower mounting members being rotatably mounted to said support means for rotation about an upstanding axis; the other of said upper and said lower mounting members being mounted to said support means for swivel movement with respect to said support means; the weight of said one end of said drum being borne substantially by said other mounting member at the point where said other mounting member is mounted to said support frame.
 2. Mounting means according to claim 1 wherein said lower mounting member bears the weight of said drum.
 3. Mounting means according to claim 2 wherein said upper and lower mounting members are attached to a collar surrounding and gripping said power shaft housing.
 4. Mounting means according to claim 3 wherein said lower mounting member is rounded and said support means includes a socket sized to matingly receive said rounded mounting member.
 5. Mounting means according to claim 3 wherein said upper and lower mounting members are aligned with one another on opposite sides of said collar.
 6. Mounting means according to claim 3 wherein said collar comprises two collar halves embracing said power shaft housing therebetween; securing means securing said collar halves together so that they tightly embrace and grip said shaft housing therebetween.
 7. Mounting means according to claim 2 wherein said power shaft is aligned with the rotational axis of said drum and said upper and lower mounting members are centered on a line perpendicular to said rotational axis of said drum.
 8. A device according to claim 7 wherein said lower mounting member comprises a ball and said support means includes an upwardly presented socket which matingly receives said ball.
 9. A device according to claim 8 wherein said socket is shaped to leave said ball free to move upwardly out of said socket.
 10. A device of the kind described comprising: a vehicle having a frame; an elongated concrete mixer drum having opposite ends; mounting means for rotatably mounting said drum on said vehicle frame; drive means operatively connected to one of said ends of said drum for rotating said drum; said mounting means comprising a gripping device and a support means; said support means being rigidly secured to said vehicle frame; said gripping device being secured to at least a portion of said drive means and having upper and lower mounting members for engaging said support means; said upper mounting member being rotatably mounted to said support means for rotation about an upstanding axis; said lower mounting member being mounted to said support means fOr swivel movement; the weight of said one end of said drum being transferred to said support means through said lower mounting member.
 11. A device according to claim 10 wherein said upper mounting member comprises a roller bearing rotatably mounted in said support means.
 12. A device according to claim 11 wherein said support means includes a limiting device thereon engaging said upper mounting member and limiting upward movement of said gripping device. 